Bifenthrin/acetamiprid compositions for control of general household pests

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an insecticidal composition of bifenthrin and acetamiprid with significantly improved knockdown and mortality characteristics when applied to general household pests.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/535,373, filed Jan. 9, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to insecticidal compositions. Inparticular, it pertains to compositions of insecticides useful forcontrol of general household pests.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

General household pests are insects that have the potential to causenuisance or harm to person and property, such as the German cockroach,American cockroach, Smokey-Brown cockroach, Oriental cockroach, housefly, biting fly, filth fly, red imported fire ant (RIFA), odorous houseant, carpenter ant, pharaoh ant, Argentine ant, mosquito, tick, flea,sowbug, pillbug, centipede, spider, silverfish, scorpion and bed bug.The following are some examples of nuisance or harm to persons andproperty. Cockroaches and flies can appear in people's livingenvironment at any place and at any time. They generally contaminatefood and articles subjecting people to threats of bacteria and viruses.The continued proliferation of colonies of red imported fire ants,Solenopsis invicta, are becoming a serious problem in the United States.Fire ants are attracted to electrical circuits and can cause failures intransformers, cables, connectors and related electrical hardware. Fireants also can sting persons or animals and generally cause a localizedallergic reaction on the area of the skin punctured by their stinging.Some individuals suffer a severe allergic reaction that can lead toanaphylactic shock, which can be fatal if not treated promptly. Many ofthe general household pests are potentially dangerous since their bitesor stings can similarly lead to allergic reaction.

Insecticidal compositions have commonly been used to control generalhousehold pests. Of primary concern in developing an insecticidalcomposition to control general household pests is the insecticide's‘knockdown’ and ‘mortality’ characteristics. Knockdown refers to quick,short-term immobilization or death of the pest. Pests can recover fromknockdown immobilization. Knockdown usually occurs within 10-30 minutes,but the timing is pest dependant. For example, knockdown for house fliescan occur at up to 2 hours because of their tolerance for insecticidesand recovery abilities. Mortality refers to death of the pest. Anoptimal insecticide composition would have knockdown and mortality ratesat or near 100% for all general household pests. Current insecticidalcompositions, for example, have red imported fire ant and Germancockroach mortality rates approaching 100%, but their knockdown ratesare only 80% or less for red imported fire ants and 40% or less forGerman cockroaches. Improved knockdown and mortality rates are desirableto ensure effective protection of persons and property from generalhousehold pests.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, it has now been found that anew insecticidal composition significantly improves knockdown andmortality rates to general household pests. Specifically, aninsecticidal composition containing a mixture of bifenthrin andacetamiprid, results in a continuous chemical barrier that provides bothhigh knockdown and mortality rates to general household pests. Otheraspects of the present invention will also be apparent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It has now been unexpectedly found that an insecticidal compositioncontaining bifenthrin and acetamiprid, results in high knockdown andmortality rates when applied to general household pests. A preferredliquid insecticide composition of the present invention is comprised offrom 0.001% by weight to 0.12% by weight of bifenthrin and from 0.001%by weight to 0.20% by weight of acetamiprid.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for controllinggeneral household pests comprising applying an insecticidally effectiveamount of a composition comprised of bifenthrin and acetamiprid to alocus where general household pest control is needed or expected to beneeded. Preferred general household pests are selected from Germancockroach, American cockroach, Smokey-Brown cockroach, Orientalcockroach, house fly, biting fly, filth fly, red imported fire ant(RIFA), odorous house ant, carpenter ant, pharaoh ant, Argentine ant,mosquito, tick, flea, sowbug, pillbug, centipede, spider, silverfish,scorpion and bed bug. Preferred locus or loci are selected from ageneral household pest-infested structure, a structure that is expectedto be general household pest-infested, or a location adjacent to thestructures.

The amount of each insecticide in the composition can be varied over awide range depending upon the target pest and the level of controldesired. For controlling German cockroaches, a preferred liquidinsecticide composition of the present invention is comprised of 0.001%by weight to 0.06% by weight of bifenthrin and 0.005% by weight to 0.10%by weight of acetamiprid. For controlling Red Imported Fire Ants, apreferred liquid insecticide composition of the present invention iscomprised of 0.0575% by weight to 0.0625% by weight of bifenthrin and0.025% by weight to 0.05% by weight of acetamiprid. For controllinghouse flies, a preferred liquid insecticide composition of the presentinvention is comprised of 0.001% by weight to 0.005% by weight ofbifenthrin and 0.01% by weight to 0.02% by weight of acetamiprid. Forcontrolling bed bugs, a preferred liquid insecticide composition of thepresent invention is comprised of 0.0575% by weight to 0.0625% by weightof bifenthrin and 0.025% by weight to 0.05% by weight of acetamiprid.

A liquid insecticide is any formulation containing an insecticide wherethe formulation is dispensed in an aqueous medium prior to itsapplication to a locus where general household pest control is needed.That is to say, a liquid insecticide is made up of 1) an insecticide, 2)an aqueous medium and 3) other additives conventionally employed ininsecticidal formulations (e.g. surfactants, wetting agents, freeze/thawagents). All formulations of insecticides that are or can be dispensedin an aqueous medium prior to application are, therefore, within thescope of the present invention (e.g. Micro-emulsions, Suspensionconcentrates, Emulsifiable concentrates, Wettable powders, Waterdispersible granules, Capsule suspensions, Emulsifiable granules orcombinations thereof).

The compositions of the present invention may be derived fromcommercially available formulations of insecticides. For example,bifenthrin, sold by FMC Corporation under the names and trademarks ofTALSTAR® GC FLOWABLE INSECTICIDE/MITICIDE, or TALSTARONE®MULTI-INSECTICIDE, to name a few, find utility in the present invention.Formulations of acetamiprid that are particularly useful in the contextof the present invention include, without limitation, acetamiprid (soldunder the name and trademark of INTRUDER), sold as a 70% wettablepowder. Using methods known to one skilled in the art, theabove-mentioned formulations of insecticides can be dispersed in anaqueous medium to provide a composition containing an insecticidallyeffective amount of the insecticide.

The following examples further illustrate the present invention, but, ofcourse, should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope. Theexamples set forth certain biological data illustrating the efficacy ofthe compositions of the present invention in controlling generalhousehold pests. Each example embodies a separate test wherein the pestswere randomly selected from a population at a random age. Unlessotherwise indicated, all parts, percentages, and the like are by weight.The spray chambers used in the examples were approximately 73-76 inchestall, 73-83 inches long and 31-33 inches deep with an adjustable shelf(approximately 22 inches deep) and a movable spray nozzle. The spraychambers were calibrated to deliver a volume of approximately 1 gallonof liquid per 1000 square feet of area at about 14-40 pounds per squareinch of pressure. A DeVilbiss hand held sprayer (Atomizer model 152)manufactured by DeVilbiss located in Glendale Heights, Ill. was used inthe testing with house flies. The DeVilbiss was used to applyapproximately 3-5 milliliters of product at about 10 pounds per squareinch.

EXAMPLE 1 Test to Determine German Cockroach Knockdown and MortalityRates by Applications of Combinations of Bifenthrin and Acetamiprid

The compositions of the present invention were tested for Germancockroach activity in the following manner:

Test compositions made up of TALSTARONE® MULTI-INSECTICIDE and a 70%wettable powder of acetamiprid in distilled water were prepared thatprovided appropriate rates of application of combinations of bifenthrinand acetamiprid, as well as bifenthrin and acetamiprid alone.

The spray chamber was then calibrated to deliver the treatment solutionat the desired volume and pressure over the desired area on the chambershelf. Spray chamber shelf height was adjusted to approximately 18inches from the spray tip. The shelf was then covered with aluminum foiland the center of the shelf from front-to-back and end-to-end wasdetermined. A desired number of 4.0″ sieve circles were marked on thealuminum foil with a permanent marker. The inside of a desired number ofPVC rings were coated with a petroleum jelly/mineral oil mixture (1:2ratio). The PVC rings were place on the sieve circles. 10 male Germancockroaches were placed inside each PVC ring. The sprayer was activatedand the test compound was applied to each PVC ring interior. Germancockroach knockdown and mortality were measured. The following resultswere recorded:

TABLE 1 Knockdown and Mortality of German Cockroach by Application ofCombinations of Bifenthrin and Acetamiprid Knock- Knock- Knock- downdown down Mortality Mortality Mortality Rate of Rate @ Rate @ Rate @Rate @ Rate @ Rate @ Rate of Appln. 10 15 30 60 120 240 Appln. (% byminutes minutes minutes minutes minutes minutes Treatment (PPM) weight)(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) A 10 0.001 0 3 23 40 — 50 50 0.005 0 0 0 38 — 60200 0.02 0 3 45 100 100 100 600 0.06 0 8 60 100 100 100 B 50 0.005 0 1338 53 — 63 100 0.01 0 8 38 58 — 63 250 0.025 10 35 75 88 90 83 500 0.058 45 88 80 98 80 B 1000 0.10 38 75 93 100 98 80 A + B 10/50 0.001/0.0055 5 35 90 — 93  10/100 0.001/0.01  0 0 13 90 — 100 50/50 0.005/0.005 0 343 93 — 100  50/100 0.005/0.01  15 23 60 95 — 100 200/250  0.02/0.025 538 68 100 100 100 200/500 0.02/0.05 48 60 98 100 100 100  200/10000.02/0.10 58 90 100 100 100 100 600/250  0.06/0.025 30 53 88 100 100 100600/500 0.06/0.05 35 63 95 100 100 100  600/1000 0.06/0.10 63 85 98 100100 100 Untreated 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A is bifenthrin, B is acetamiprid

EXAMPLE 2 Test to Determine Red Imported Fire Ant Knockdown andMortality Rates by Applications of Combinations of Bifenthrin andAcetamiprid

The compositions of the present invention were tested for red importedfire ant activity in the following manner:

Test compositions made up of TALSTARONE® MULTI-INSECTICIDE and a 70%wettable powder of acetamiprid in distilled water were prepared thatprovided appropriate rates of application of combinations of bifenthrinand acetamiprid, as well as bifenthrin and acetamiprid alone.

The spray chamber was then calibrated to deliver the treatment solutionat the desired volume and pressure over the desired area on the chambershelf. Spray chamber shelf height was adjusted to approximately 18inches from the spray tip. The shelf was then covered with aluminum foiland the center of the shelf from front-to-back and end-to-end wasdetermined. The red imported fire ants to be treated were collected andplaced in screened 16 oz paper cups. The paper cups were placed onto thealuminum foil on the spray chamber shelf. The sprayer was activated andthe test compound was applied to each paper cup interior. Red importedfire ant knockdown and mortality were measured. The following resultswere recorded:

TABLE 2 Knockdown and Mortality of Red Imported Fire Ant by Applicationof Combinations of Bifenthrin and Acetamiprid Knock- Knock- Knock- downdown down Mortality Mortality Mortality Rate of Rate @ Rate @ Rate @Rate @ Rate @ Rate @ Rate of Appln. 10 15 30 60 120 240 Appln. (% byminutes minutes minutes minutes minutes minutes Treatment (PPM) weight)(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) A 300 0.03 63 100 100 100 100 100 600 0.06 78100 100 100 100 100 B 125 0.0125 0 0 10 5 65 90 250 0.025 10 3 5 13 98100 500 0.05 0 15 15 60 100 100 A + B 300/125  0.03/0.0125 18 78 98 100100 100 300/250  0.03/0.025 5 98 95 100 100 100 300/500 0.03/0.05 33 9593 100 100 100 600/125  0.06/0.0125 45 78 100 100 100 100 600/250 0.06/0.025 65 93 100 100 100 100 600/500 0.06/0.05 100 100 100 100 100100 Untreated 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A is bifenthrin, B is acetamiprid

EXAMPLE 3 Test to Determine House Fly Knockdown and Mortality Rates byApplications of Combinations of Bifenthrin and Acetamiprid

The compositions of the present invention were tested for house flyactivity in the following manner:

Test compositions made up of TALSTARONE® MULTI-INSECTICIDE and a 70%wettable powder of acetamiprid in distilled water were prepared thatprovided appropriate rates of application of combinations of bifenthrinand acetamiprid, as well as bifenthrin and acetamiprid alone.

A DeVilbiss hand held sprayer was used to deliver the treatment solutionat the desired volume and pressure. The house flies to be treated werecollected and placed in screened 16 oz paper cups. The hand held sprayerwas activated and the test compound was applied to each paper cupinterior. House fly knockdown and mortality were measured. The followingresults were recorded:

TABLE 3 Knockdown and Mortality of House Flies by Application ofCombinations of Bifenthrin and Acetamiprid Knock- Knock- Knock- Knock-Knock- down down down down down Mortality Rate of Rate @ Rate @ Rate @Rate @ Rate @ Rate @ Rate of Appln. 15 30 60 120 240 1 Appln. (% byminutes minutes minutes minutes minutes day Treatment (PPM) weight) (%)(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) A 10 0.001 0 0 19 19 48 3 50 0.005 0 19 59 63 100 63B 100 0.01 47 47 53 41 53 16 200 0.02 69 86 72 72 78 28 A + B 10/1000.001/0.01 67 97 100 97 100 80 10/200 0.001/0.02 66 91 97 100 100 7550/100 0.005/0.01 26 74 100 100 100 97 50/200 0.005/0.02 66 100 100 100100 100 Untreated 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A is bifenthrin, B is acetamiprid

EXAMPLE 4 Test to Determine Bed Bug Mortality Rates by Applications ofCombinations of Bifenthrin and Acetamiprid

The compositions of the present invention were tested for bed bugactivity in the following manner:

Test compositions made up of TALSTARONE® MULTI-INSECTICIDE and a 70%wettable powder of acetamiprid in distilled water were prepared thatprovided appropriate rates of application of combinations of bifenthrinand acetamiprid, as well as bifenthrin and acetamiprid alone.

The spray chamber was then calibrated to deliver the treatment solutionat the desired volume and pressure over the desired area on the chambershelf. Spray chamber shelf height was adjusted to approximately 10.5inches from the spray tip. The shelf was then covered with aluminum foiland the center of the shelf from front-to-back and end-to-end wasdetermined. The bed bugs to be treated were collected and placed inscreened 16 oz paper cups. The paper cups were placed onto the aluminumfoil on the spray chamber shelf. The sprayer was activated and the testcompound was applied to each paper cup interior. Bed bug mortality wasmeasured. The following results were recorded:

TABLE 4 Mortality of Bed Bugs by Application of Combinations ofBifenthrin and Acetamiprid Rate of Mortality Mortality Rate of Appln.Rate @ 2 Rate @ 1 Appln. (% by hours day Treatment (PPM) weight) (%) (%)A 200 0.02 85 100 600 0.06 75 100 B 250 0.025 30 95 500 0.05 60 100 10000.10 95 100 A + B 200/250  0.02/0.025 90 100 200/500 0.02/0.05 95 100 200/1000 0.02/0.10 100 100 600/250  0.06/0.025 90 100 600/500 0.06/0.05100 100  600/1000 0.06/0.10 100 100 Untreated 0 0 5 65 A is bifenthrin,B is acetamiprid

In the context of the present invention, the term “insecticide” refersto the active chemical compound or ingredient, bifenthrin andacetamiprid, which kills or causes knockdown of insects. The term“bifenthrin” means2-methylbiphenyl-3-ylmethyl(Z)-(1RS)-cis-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-enyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylateor2-methylbiphenyl-3-ylmethyl(Z)-(1RS,3RS)-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-enyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate,CAS Registry Number 82657-04-3. The term “acetamiprid” means(E)-N¹-[(6-chloro-3-pyridyl)methyl]-N²-cyano-N¹-methylacetamidine, CASRegistry Number 135410-20-7. The term “liquid insecticide” refers to aformulation of an insecticide where the formulation can be dispensed inan aqueous medium prior to its application to a locus where insectcontrol is desired. The term “locus” refers to any locations wherecontrol of insects is needed or expected to be needed. The term “generalhousehold pest” refers to any insect or pest, such as German cockroach,American cockroach, Smokey-Brown cockroach, Oriental cockroach, housefly, biting fly, filth fly, red imported fire ant (RIFA), odorous houseant, carpenter ant, pharaoh ant, Argentine ant, mosquito, tick, flea,sowbug, pillbug, centipede, spider, silverfish, scorpion and bed bug,that cause harm or nuisance to person or property. The term “knockdown”refers to the quick, short-term immobilization or death of the insects.The term “mortality” refers to the death of the insects. The term “% byweight” refers to the weight of the insecticide or specified componentas a percent of the total weight of the composition (e.g. including theaqueous medium, other insecticides, surfactants, wetting agents,freeze/thaw agents and combinations thereof).

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that variations ofthe invention may be used and that it is intended that the invention maybe practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications encompassedwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the followingclaims.

1. A method for controlling general household pests selected from thegroup consisting of German cockroaches, house flies, red imported fireants and bed bugs comprising applying an insecticidally effective amountof a formulation comprising a mixture of i) bifenthrin and ii)acetamiprid; and iii) an aqueous medium to a locus where generalhousehold pest control is needed or expected to be needed wherein theamount of the bifenthrin in the composition is equal to from 0.001% byweight to 0.12% by weight of the formulation and the amount of theacetamiprid is equal to from 0.001% by weight to 0.20% by weight of theformulation.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said locus isselected from a general household pest-infected structure, a structurethat is expected to be general household pest-infected, or a locationadjacent to said structures.
 3. The method according to claim 1, whereinsaid locus is selected from a general household pest-infected structure,a structure that is expected to be general household pest-infected, or alocation adjacent to said structures.
 4. The method of claim 1 whereinthe amount of the bifenthrin is equal to from 0.001% by weight to 0.06%by weight of the formulation and the amount of the acetamiprid is equalto from 0.005% by weight to 0.10% by weight of the formulation, and thegeneral household pests are German cockroaches.
 5. The method of claim 1wherein the amount of the bifenthrin is equal to from 0.0575% by weightto 0.0625% by weight of the formulation and the amount of theacetamiprid is equal to from 0.025% by weight to 0.05% by weight of theformulation, and the general household pests are red imported fire ants.6. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of the bifenthrin is equalto from 0.001% by weight to 0.005% by weight of the formulation and theamount of the acetamiprid is equal to from 0.01% by weight to 0.02% byweight of the formulation, and the general household pests are houseflies.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of the bifenthrin isequal to from 0.0575% by weight to 0.0625% by weight of the formulationand the amount of the acetamiprid is equal to from 0.025% by weight to0.05% by weight of the formulation, and the general household pests arebed bugs.